Germand Shepherds: Man's best friend

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[Lexington Green]

My shepherd is from the largest/only K-9 kennel in China... The other kennels probably produce dogs for eating... It's a looong story... his brothers and sisters are in the US Army... His name is HeiHu - Chinese for Black Tiger.... I call him Ferdinand, after Ferdinand the Bull - the big bad bull that picked flowers... he looks bad, but his gentle nature kept him out of the army... The greatest dog I ever had was a St. Bernard-- so special that I didn't mind the slime.

[Laverne]

My husband and I adopted a Sable Shep one year ago. She was at the rescue squad in Riverview, FL. She ended up there as a product of a divorce. She is a wonderful dog, clearly was mis-treated by a male as she is extremely male aggressive, but getting much better with each passing day. After our other dog, a Brittany Spaniel, went to run with the puppies in heaven, we received a "dogs will" sent to us by the vet. In it is stated to adopt a german shepard; we did, and are very happy we did so. A very loyal dog, and perhaps the smartest dog we have ever seen. She is a wonderful addition to our family and we are so grateful we got her.

[Aeronaut]

Luke von Rikkor

[Lokibob]

Of course I have to chime in.

I have a samoyd-lab mix that is just perfect. I got her as a result of divorce and she has been great for me.

She knows 20 tricks (including sneezing, yawning, and speaking) on command.

Dogs can be a great help getting over the seperation thing, and Joe, I wish you well.

Oh, BTW, the custody fight was about the 17 year old youngest son. She said "you can have him". I said "no, you can have him". DON'T jump on me folks, I'm just kidding.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I've got Basenjis, but I respect any man who loves his dogs.

Good luck Joe.

[real saxophonist]

The cool thing is, if you give orders in German, nobody else knows what you're talking about.

[real saxophonist]

After a girl was raped and murdered in the woods near my sister's house, my brother-in-law got a Doberman puppy. Stupid thing would get a running start, charge toward the kitchen, hit the lineoleum floor, go sliding across the floor and slam into the door on the opposite side. Not saying all Dobermans are stupid.

Brother has a Chow, stupidest dog I've ever seen. When the brother comes home from work, this dog barks at him, until he reintroduces himself to her.

[softengine]

The greatest dog I ever had was a St. Bernard-- so special that I didn't mind the slime.

Count me in too. At 202 lbs., our Saint, Rufus (Rufus R Jones), was feared by all for his size. Little did they know he didn't have a mean bone in his body (just one hell of a bark - could put any criminal into a state of total fear!). Was always gentle and easy going with the kids, especially when they were toddlers. We miss him so much.

[illstillbe]

No! ...No...no...no...

You have the wrong of it! HAR!

I've a St. Bernard ... just turned a year old and is pushing 200 pounds. He'll get close to 250 by the time all is said and done ... and is surely man's best friend, he is.

At present, he is belly up behind my chair ... arms and legs akimbo ... looking slightly like a drunken Burl Ives ...

Yet when we walk ... he is awesome ... as other dogs merely bow to his supremacy ... and he roundly ignores each and every one ... no challenges there.

Now ... let me walk through a crowd ... I should have mentioned that he weighs 100 pounds more than me ... he curls himself around me as we walk ... no one is after getting past him. LOL!

Well ... we love our dogs, we do.

[Jewels1091]

I've had plenty of dogs in my life. We always had several dogs growing up and always have had one or two since I've been married. We've have labs...for the hunting, you know, mixed breeds, a german shephard. But none can compare to our new dog, a Gorden Setter. This is the smartest dog I have ever been around. She is a guard dog, a hunter, you can tell her to go to a person (by name) and she does. She talks to you..not barking...but actually talks. She takes your hand in her mouth to lead you where she wants to go. When the kids start to fight, she comes and 'tells me'. She loves people, but will guard the kids. And she is beautiful. I think Gordens will be the only dogs we get from now on.

[joathome]

Ugh. I hate chows. Sorry. I was totally terrorized by one as a child. Stupid dog couldn't tell the difference between a little, innocent child visiting and a stranger bent on doing the family harm.

My neighbor required several stitches when attacked by one.

And I've read enough to know that they are at the top of many dog trainers' doodoo list. :)

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Hey - I'll see your German Shepherd and raise you my Golden Retriever! It must be hard worrying about losing your dog - I absolutely adore my two (we have a flat coat retriever mix also). The Golden is the best breed I have ever owned - smart, friendly, loving and very entertaining!

[Big Bunyip]

Is there a more noble breed?

Haven't my American Cocker Spaniel, have you?

[deadhead]

I also had a German Shepard / Husky mix. Dino lived until he was 18 years old! I have always had mutts.
Joe 6-pack, I sure do hope you get to keep your pup! Can't imagine having my best friend mutt Lucy taken away from me! Good Luck to you!!

[LibertarianLiz]

I had a border collie, but had to return it to the breeder. Way too much dog for us.

She was, however, the smartest critter I have ever run into. But, she was also insane (as borders will be on occassion). She was the most fun of any dog I had ever had; but, she was also the most work. I wouldn't recommend these dogs for anyone who can't devote a lot of time to them and who have a stronger will than the dogs. (I'm a wuss and tend to spoil my dogs, and this border knew it.)

[jslade]

Yep, the Doberman. My Tori looks just like that black and tan female.

[2sheep]

>>>Is there a nobler breed?

Well, there is an "as noble" breed.  Having owned both a shepherd and a dobie, I can state affirmatively that one could play chess with either and lose so I give them both the highest grades as the world's two smartest breeds.  They do "think" differently from each other and Shepherds are more given to herding things, like gathering all of the garden tools and anything laying around into a pile in the yard and then guarding them.  Dobes are more thrilled at scenting than herding.  You haven't lived until you have played Hide 'N Seek with a dobe and been hunted down by one.  (Its fun if they like you.)

[brewcrew]

Best of luck in your quest to get custody.

The GSD might be nobler, but our Corgi has been in space: